Technical MOT failure...yeah, right.

[Earlofdavetona]

I had my 2001 Multi MOT'd on Wednesday after it failed the test back in September and it failed again on Wednesday. (the gearbox went between then and now and I have only just got it back together and tested!)

Anyway, it failed the test in September on the handbrake cable and the rear seatbelt not retracting properly but that was it. I sorted those two bits out and changed the gearbox. (bearing in mind the car hasn't moved an inch since then) it failed again but this time on the offside track rod end. I bought a new one and have just gone to replace it and found NO movement in the balljoint at all, nothing, not even 1mm.

So, my problem is, do I: 1. Change the ball joint, take the car back and pay for the partial retest which is £27 or: 2. Do I leave the old balljoint on the car and argue with the test centre cos I have had a crow bar under the joint and its solid.
If I am right and I think I am, I think the test centre should pass the car cos there is nothing wrong with it and compensate me for the part I bought in error.

I'm also thinking of contacting VOSA to complain if I get nowhere.

Thoughts please anyone?

 

[momoe]

I'm with you on this, either it's got detectable wear or it hasn't, if you can't detect play with a crowbar levering the joint, where is the wear?

I'd contact VOSA first and see what they have to say.
I help out a friend who runs an independent garage and MOT station and I've seen first hand VOSA are EXTREMELY particular about how their MOT stations are run.

 

[Earlofdavetona]

I'm with you on this, either it's got detectable wear or it hasn't, if you can't detect play with a crowbar levering the joint, where is the wear?

I'd contact VOSA first and see what they have to say.
I help out a friend who runs an independent garage and MOT station and I've seen first hand VOSA are EXTREMELY particular about how their MOT stations are run.

Hi Momoe

When I checked it I had it jacked up and ready to remove the ball joint so I thought I'd check it under normnal conditions as it would be in the MOT. I put the wheel back on and dropped the car down, got underneath, tried it again with my hand and Bob's ya Uncle, movement !!! But, if that's excessive play, I'm a Chinaman !!!!

Hey ho, bit the bullet and put the new one on so no arguments now.

Thanks for the response.

Dave

 

[widemouthfrog]

If you're really confident that the ball joint isn't u/s, why not take it to another MOT station? If they pass it, then you've got a good stick to beat the other garage with. I'm sure VOSA would love to hear about that one......

The only slight problem with this approach is the database linking for MOTs, but I'm not sure how thorough these places are with cross referencing.

 

[Earlofdavetona]

If you're really confident that the ball joint isn't u/s, why not take it to another MOT station? If they pass it, then you've got a good stick to beat the other garage with. I'm sure VOSA would love to hear about that one......

The only slight problem with this approach is the database linking for MOTs, but I'm not sure how thorough these places are with cross referencing.

I did think about getting it tested elsewhere but that's another £57 I could do without shelling out. I know I should fight it but I need to get the car passed and sold to my mate cos he has been waiting for a few months now and I promised him the car this week.

 

[flying clutchman]

The big problem with challenging MOTs is that the instructions to the tester state "If in doubt fail". In a situation like this Vosa would be happy that the tester is applying the regulations vigourously. As the part is quite cheap and not too difficult to replace I think it's best to just bite the bullet. Go to a different MOT station and they might fail it on 3 different things!

 

[urchin]

all mot stations are linked to vosa via computer now so if you do go to another test station as soon as they log your vehicle onto the system the details of the last test fail will show. if you really think it should not have failed you should NOT have it repaired and contact vosa I think it explains all this on the back of the failiure sheet. If I was you I would just put a track rod end on and get it back on the road.

 

[Earlofdavetona]

all mot stations are linked to vosa via computer now so if you do go to another test station as soon as they log your vehicle onto the system the details of the last test fail will show. if you really think it should not have failed you should NOT have it repaired and contact vosa I think it explains all this on the back of the failiure sheet. If I was you I would just put a track rod end on and get it back on the road.

All done and dusted, retest in the morning.